Judge South Coast Rugby League final move after September: OPINION

There has been plenty of talk in local rugby league circles about the South Coast Rugby League Board’s decision to move the 2014 Grand Finals to the Collegians Sporting Complex at Figtree.

As explained to me, the board has made the decision in light of continued financial pressures in running grand finals in the local area, including the ever-increasing costs of security and police which are now part of the tough licensing laws.

The board has been charged with making sure they make decisions that best benefit their clubs and have definitely stuck their necks out with this decision. They will thrive or perish on the decision.

Like it or lump it, let’s allow the board do their job, a job which the clubs voted them in to do. Whether we agree with the decision or not, let's judge its success or failure after September 21.

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Tony Panecasio was returned for his second term as president of the South Coast Cricket Association on Monday night.

The rest of the board also remains the same, with Grant Tilling vice-president, David Yates secretary, Mark Jones treasurer and Leanne Bullivant junior secretary. Sandra Richards, Chris Halloran and Brad Sperring are on the board.

There was plenty of discussion on the proposal to change the format of the top grades of the competition into three, six-team groups, and a final decision is likely to be made at the next general meeting, scheduled for July 14.

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The BlueScope WIN Community Partners are supporting South Coast Branch Surf Life Saving in funding the purchase of 40 PFDs to be supplied to South Coast surf life saving clubs for their Inflatable Rescue Boat, Jet Boat and RWC (Jet Ski) rescue crews.

Changes to the Surf Life Saving Australia policy on rescue water craft now require all crews to wear a PFD on patrol operations and rescue callout and the cost of $2650 is a tremendous saving for clubs.

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Kiama Football Club will be hosting A-League club Sydney FC on Thursday, June 26, from 5pm to 7pm at the Kiama Quarry playing fields.

The Kiama club have advised its junior players to attend this chance meeting with some of the best players in the country.

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Nowra-Bomaderry Jets have sounded an ominous warning to all South Coast Group 7 Rugby League Clubs, following their demolition of Jamberoo Superoos on Sunday at Jamberoo, hot on the heels of last week’s draw against the unbeaten Warilla Gorillas.

The speed this side has is breathtaking, with the addition of the three Brandon brothers - who have made their names in rugby union with the Nowra-based Shoalies - has been a game-changer. With Geoff Johnson setting the platform at half and the forwards setting a solid platform, they are more than capable of upsetting any side in the competition.

All they need now is consistency and that will come with more performances like Sunday. They face a real litmus test this weekend when they take on a side that has based their season around their defence, Kiama, at Kiama Showground. Can’t wait to see how that one turns out!

The Knights again showed their premiership credentials by taking the Gorillas right down to the wire and only time will tell how much they will miss fullback Tom Atkins and half Jack Alexander who head off for two months in Europe this week.